Reptiles
Scientific Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Sauropsida (Goodrich, 1916)
Definition:
Taxonomic class of air-breathing vertebrates that include the alligators and crocodiles, lizards, snakes, turtles, and extinct forms such as dinosaurs and pterosaurs. Reptiles are characterized by amniotic eggs, a bony skeleton and are covered by scales, except for a few members of the Testudines. Reptiles were the first truly terrestrial vertebrate group. Animals such as reptiles are typically considered exotic pets. This may change in the future, as 'exotic' pet ownership is increasing rapidly, and they suit many lifestyles owing to being relatively low maintenance and do not take up much space
Reptiles are a class of vertebrates which have much in common with birds, and included with them by Huxley is the primary group, Sauropsida (Lizard faces). Today they are represented by four surviving orders:
1. Squamata: Around 7,900 species including lizards, snakes and amphisbaenids.
2. Crocodilia: 23 species including crocodiles, alligators and caimans.
3. Sphenodontia: 2 species of tuataras from New Zealand.
4. Testudines: 300 species of turtles.
Characteristics.
Reptiles are cold-blooded (exothermic), meaning that they do not generate enough heat to maintain a constant body temperature. Therefore they rely on gathering and losing heat from the environment to regulate their internal temperature, e.g. by moving between sun and shade, or by preferential circulation which requires moving warmed blood into the body core, while pushing cool blood to the periphery
While this lack of adequate internal heating imposes costs relative to temperature regulation (thermo regulation) through behavior, it also provides a large benefit by allowing reptiles to survive on much less food than comparably-sized mammals and birds, who burn much of their food for warmth. While warm-blooded animals move faster in general, an attacking lizard, snake or crocodile moves very quickly.
Most reptile species are oviparous (egg-laying). Many species of squamates, however, are capable of giving live birth. This is achieved, either through ovoviviparity (egg retention), or viviparity (babies born without use of calcified eggs). They often provide considerable initial care for their hatchlings.
Long term Commitment
Owning a reptile is a long term commitment. Turtles can live for more than 30 years, pythons for more than 15 years and lizards such as Blue-tongues for 20 years. Your pet may well outlive you. Before you acquire an exotic animal of any kind, you should learn about its care. Over the last few years, as interest in captive reptiles has skyrocketed, a series of excellent and inexpensive booklets were published, which explain the care of a particular popular kind. Not every one of the thousands of species is covered by one of the booklets. This website tries to help inform about the less common reptiles.
A pet store staff person will give verbal instructions on care. How much detail can they provide in a limited time, and how much of it will you remember? It is always better to have a comprehensive book on a specific reptile which you can refer to in case of difficulties which will arise.
Housing and Natural Environments
One obvious part of keeping a reptile in captivity is meeting its housing needs. This doesn't always mean replicating its natural habitat; for some, such as corn snakes, their needs are very simple. For others, it does mean simulating a little corner of that animal's world. Does the animal climb around in trees, hide under rocks, burrow in the earth, and swim in rivers? Does it live in a temperate or tropical climate? Does it come from a desert, forest, or some other kind of habitat? If it comes from the desert, does it shelter in a moist burrow or bake on exposed rocks? What kind of food does it like? Sometimes this takes some real research, and requires knowing the reptile's real name.
Hiding is an important strategy for staying alive for small animals. Many reptiles are predators, but nearly all are also prey. When reptiles are not hunting, they live through the day by hiding the rest of the time. Even in the security of captivity, many reptiles, especially snakes, still need the psychological comfort of a hiding place. Denied one, they may refuse to eat or even become stressed and ill.
Feeding.
Some reptiles will require feeding twice daily. Others, notably some types of snakes will go 5 days or more between meals. In either case, chances are that your local grocery store does not have iguana food on the shelf next to the dog food. Food for your exotic pet may mean searching for a particular pet store for their special needs, or carefully preparing balanced meals for them. Some will even require live insects or rodents. Make sure that you are aware of the feeding habits of the pet you consider, the costs of the food and the time to get or prepare it.
Nowadays, most buying for your reptile can be done online. Go to products page where you can find reptile related products.